Section 388-97-1080. Nursing services.

(1) The nursing home must ensure that a sufficient number of qualified nursing personnel are available on a twenty-four hour basis seven days per week to provide nursing and related services to attain or maintain the highest practicable physical, mental and psychosocial well-being of each resident as determined by resident assessments and individual plans of care.

(2) The nursing home must:

(a) Designate a registered nurse or licensed practical nurse to serve as charge nurse, who is accountable for nursing services on each tour of duty; and

(b) Have a full time director of nursing service who is a registered nurse.

(3) The nursing home must have:

(a) A registered nurse on duty directly supervising resident care a minimum of sixteen hours per day, seven days per week; and

(b) A registered nurse or licensed practical nurse on duty directly supervising resident care the remaining eight hours per day, seven days per week. "Directly supervising" means the supervising individual is on the premises and is quickly and easily available to provide necessary assessments and other direct care of residents; and oversight of supervised staff.

(4) The nursing home must ensure that staff respond to each resident's requests for assistance in a manner which promptly meets the quality of life and quality of care needs of all the residents.

(5) The director of nursing services is responsible for:

(a) Coordinating the plan of care for each resident;

(b) Ensuring that registered nurses and licensed practical nurses comply with chapter 18.79 RCW; and

(c) Ensuring that the nursing care provided is based on the nursing process in accordance with nationally recognized and accepted standards of professional nursing practice.

[Statutory Authority: Chapters 18.51 and 74.42 RCW and 42 C.F.R. 489.52. WSR 08-20-062, § 388-97-1080, filed 9/24/08, effective 11/1/08.]

Chapters 18.51 and 74.42 RCW and 42 C.F.R. 489.52. WSR 08-20-062, § 388-97-1080, filed 9/24/08, effective 11/1/08.